10 Must-Try Restaurants In Saskatoon, Canada

Saskatoon’s restaurant scene has been coming into its own over the past few years. Located in Saskatchewan, a Canadian province nicknamed the ‘Bread Basket of the World,’ Saskatoon’s many independent restaurants incorporate the province’s rich bounty into fresh, creative new dishes. Here are 10 of the most exciting spots to try here.

Ayden Kitchen & Bar

Ayden Kitchen & Bar offers a sophisticated approach to local comfort food with a menu sure to make any carnivore’s mouth water. The restaurant’s signature dish is a grilled 10oz aged silver rib eye, served with a baked potato, arugula salad and peppercorn butter. The small, thoughtful menu features a number of other meat dishes, including burgers served with Kennebec French fries. With both a mixologist and sommelier on staff, the restaurant is a popular spot for after-work drinks as well as full dinners.

Bon Temps Café

Bon Temps Café specializes in authentic Cajun cuisine. The interior recreates the atmosphere of a Bourbon Street bar and grill with exposed brickwork, live jazz music, and plenty of New Orleans-inspired décor. Go for one of the po’ boys like the ‘Bon Temps Roast Beef Peacemaker’ with baked ham, cheese, and Cajun slaw. Also try the pan-fried catfish with blackening spices, served with rice and lemon butter cream.

Duck Duck Goose Tapas Bar

Duck Duck Goose Tapas Bar is inspired by the owners’ experiences traveling in Spain. Their goal with the restaurant was to bring Spain’s communal, interactive way of eating and rich flavours to Saskatoon. True to the tapas-style of eating, the restaurant features a small menu of European-influenced plates. However, dishes such as the duck poutine made with truffled fries, cheese curds, and duck gravy pay homage to Canada’s own cuisine. The restaurant also offers a number of Spanish, Canadian, and European wines, as well as imported beers.

The Granary

The Granary is the perfect place for those looking to soak up Saskatoon’s agricultural charms. Set in a former grain elevator, the Granary is one of the city’s most recognizable buildings. The interior continues the rustic prairie theme with old-fashioned sporting equipment, license plates, and other antiques. Once you get to the menu, you’ll notice a mix of steaks, prime rib, and pastas, as well as chicken and fish dishes.

Leyda’s Café

A recent edition to Saskatoon’s restaurant scene, Leyda’s Café is the city’s first gluten- and nut-free café. The restaurant was started in response to steady rise of celiac disease across the country. In addition to gluten-free dishes, the menu emphasizes anti-inflammatory ingredients like fruits and whole grains. The locally driven menu features specials such as trout, grass-fed beef, free-range organic chicken, black cod, gluten-free pizza, along with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. The interior has an upscale countryside feeling, with stainless steel, rich woods, and pops of red.

Mano’s Restaurant and Lounge

Opened in 1981, Mano’s Restaurant and Lounge has achieved success over the years by adapting to trends without alienating long-time customers. The restaurant’s upscale interior is based on a theme of earth, rain and fire, balancing stone and water features with a dramatic sunburst ceiling. The diverse Canadian menu features a variety of steaks, pizzas, and pastas, along with meat and seafood dishes.

Prairie Harvest Café

From the décor to the food, Prairie Harvest Café is down-to-earth and local. Sourcing ingredients from the Saskatoon Farmer’s Market, the restaurant uses local products to create an ever-changing seasonal menu. Even their stocks, sauces, baked goods, and dressings are all made in-house. The restaurant’s signature dish is lasagne made with braised pork belly, braised beef short ribs, lean ground beef, seasonal veggies, and a tomato demi-glace, along with house-made pasta and ricotta and basil oil.

Taverna Italian

Taverna Italian specialises in rustic Italian dishes. A long-standing mainstay of Saskatoon’s restaurant scene, Oprah Winfrey dined here when she visited Saskatoon in 2013. The restaurant imports much of its pasta from Italy, but makes its ravioli, gnocchi and tortellini fresh in-house. Go for one of their crispy thin crust pizzas or choose a dish from their changing seasonal menu.

Truffles Bistro

Truffles Bistro immerses diners in a European experience with its progressive French cuisine and handsome décor. Set in a historic building, the restaurant’s crown moulding, hardwood floors, and glittery chandeliers give the interior an understated elegance. Expect dishes like local Diefenbaker trout served with wild rice salmon, saffron farm fresh egg, and sun-dried olives, as well as artisan cheese boards featuring local cheese from Herschel Hills. Appropriate for the French theme, the restaurant also offers an excellent selection of wines to pair with the meals.

The Yard & Flagon

The Yard & Flagon is the beloved standby that every neighborhood needs. The menu is a relatively predictable line-up of pub staples, but the Yard & Flagon does bar food so well. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, making it a great spot for dinner or post-work drinks. The restaurant’s spacious rooftop patio overlooks the historic Nutana neighbourhood and gets packed in the summer with crowds eager to enjoy the sun.